2017-2018: Nahom Dagnachew, Dongun (Alvin) Kim, Victor Nguyen,  Kaa-Lok Yap,  Juniors

Nahom Dagnachew, Alvin Kim, Victor Nguyen, and Kaa-Lok Yap have become activists in defense of DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. They collected names on petitions in support of DACA and the Dream Act and took those petitions to the offices of their Congressional representatives, bringing as well 120 handmade origami iris flowers to represent faith and hope for immigrants.  During the 2017 election they canvassed and worked at a phone bank to get out the Asian-American vote.  They also participated in DACA rallies in Washington DC, a protest in Chicago, and a sit-in at the offices of Virginia senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner.

2018-2019: Kora Coker, Senior

Kora Coker wrote and published a book for children titled Cassi and Issac. The book explores the concepts of immigration and discrimination through the eyes of elementary school children. Issac is new to Cassi’s school and country and is learning to speak English. Cassi sees Issac’s courage as he navigates his new community.

Kora read her book to children at an elementary school and a public library in her community. After each reading, she led a discussion in which she asked the children to relate the book to their own experiences and views about immigration and discrimination.

Kora was inspired to write and illustrate her book by family (her father is from Nigeria) and immigrant friends in the Annandale community. Kora felt a calling to address how people view immigrant, especially after events such as 9/11, when she observed that people became suspicious of Muslims. She felt it was important to be an example to younger children, to model positive and unbiased values and beliefs, and to show the importance of understanding cultural differences.

Through this reading and discussion process, Kora saw that children looked up to her. They wanted to share stories from their lives, and they asked about her writing. Kora said, “I want to continue to write. I don’t want to drop the ball.”

2019-2020: Manoucher (Manny) Precht, Senior

Manny Precht has volunteered since 8th grade with Earth Sangha, a nonprofit public charity based in our area. Earth Sangha’s mission is ecological preservation and restoration of the natural habitats of our world.

Volunteers propagate locally native plants, restore native plant communities, and control invasive alien plants. Restoring habitat allows native wildlife species to flourish. Earth Sangha believes that protecting our local ecotypes and promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle help our global environment and reduce potential sources of conflict among humans, who like all species, are dependent on a functioning ecosystem.

Four years ago, Manny was looking for opportunities to do community service. He and his family volunteered with Earth Sangha and enjoyed the experience. Manny has continued to volunteer, and he has helped plant native plants in parks in our area. Manny has also worked at the Earth Sangha nursery in Franconia Park. This past summer, he got an internship with Earth Sangha and worked at Marie Butler Leven Preserve in McLean to get rid of invasive plants.

Manny points out that invasive plants dominate other native species, outcompeting and displacing Northern Virginia ecotypes. This threatens the food web because most insects cannot survive on non-native plants, and other wildlife depends on insects as a food source. Invasive plants spread quickly, and it requires years to fully remove them from a park area like Marie Butler Leven Preserve.

Manny feels his work is important because it supports our local community. Getting rid of invasive plants allows our native plants to flourish and promotes a thriving ecosystem. Manny hopes to continue working to care for the environment throughout his life.